Method of and bath for retting fibrous straw



UNITED STATES JAMES M. Mnsson,

OF DULUTH, MINNESOTA.

rain-zNT.-v OFFICE.

METHOD OF AND BATH FOR BETTING FTBROUS STRAW.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES M. MAssoN, a citizen of the United States, residin at Duluth, in the county of St. Louis and tate monly known as tank retting and the process or other fibrous straw as it comes from a threshing machine, or to that which has been pulled especially for the purpose of her production.

is improved method involves the use of a formula comprising certain solvent oils and mild alkalis which act quickly on the gum or resin and'coloring matter in the straw, thoroughly dissolving all the former and bleaching both the straw. and the fiber leaving the latter lustrous and soft without impairing its-quality. The fiber. being entirely freed fromgum or resin isreadily separated from the shives which being well retted are easily crushed and removed from her by the succeeding processes ofdecortlcatln et cetera.

Heretofire all known methods of tank retting of fibrous straw has been accomplished by'the and prolonged treatment which is well own to those versed in the art to be a serious handicap in the economical production of fiber, and to overcome which is the principal object of my present invention, together with the production of a better, righter and more silky fiber than heretofore known.

Other objects and advantages of the improved method and formula will appear in the further description of the invention.

The formula or'composition of the bath employed comprises: one fluid ounce per gallon of a sulfonated castor oil, (sometimes known as turkey-red oil) or other similar oils, one ounce avoirdupois pure alkali, (known as solvay alkali) and one ounce avoirdupois per gallon of tri-phosphate of soda.

The

desired quantity of this solution is placed within a suitable tank, the' straw Specificationof Letters Patent. Application filed January 12, 1920. Serial No.

use of strong caustic alkalis for use therein of soda, then removing the solution and placed therein and the composition heated and brought to boiling point, said boiling maintained for approximately 30 to 40 minutes when it is then allowed to steep for 2 or3 hours.' Then the straw and fiber are removed and thoroughly washed in hot water to which has been added a small amount Patented Apr. 19, 1921.

of ammonia for the thorough washing away of the dissolved gums.

hen the retted straw is .water with residue extracted by centrifugal oughly dried at a moderate temperature either by natural or artificial heat.

aving thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The method herein described of rettin fibrous straw consisting in submerging and boiling the straw in a solution containin tri-phosphate ofsoda and sulfonated oils,

and subsequently removlng and washing the v straw.

2. The method herein described of rettin brous straw consisting in submerging an boiling the straw in a solution containing tri-phosphate of soda and sulfonated oils, and subsequently removing and washing the straw in hot water to which ammonia has been added.

3. The method herein described of retting brous straw in a solution composed of one fluid ounce per gallon of sulfonated castor 0il, one ounce avoirdupois pure alkali, and one ounce avoirdupois tri-phosphate of soda, and subsequently removing the straw and washing it for further treatment.

.4. The method herein described of retting fibrous straw in a solution composed of one fluid ounce er gallon of sulfonatedoils, one ounce avoirdupois pure alkali and one ounce avoirdupois tri-phosphate sequently washing same ment.

5.-The method herein described of. tank retting fibrous straw consisting in boiling and steeping the straw in a solution containing sulfonated oils, alkali and tri-phosphate straw from such washing same for subsequent of soda, and subtreatment.

' 6. The method herein described of tank retting fibrous straw consisting in boiling and steeping the straw in a solution containing sulfonated oils, alkali and-tri-phosphate of for further treatsoda then removing the straw from such sopure alkali and one ounce avoirdupois of 10 lution and washing same in hot water to tri-phosphate of soda, substantially as dewhich ammonia has been added. scribed.

7 A bath for tank retting of fibrous straw In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my comprising sulfonated castor oil, pure alkali signature in the presence of two Witnesses. and tri-phosphate of soda. JAMES M. MASSON.

8. A bath for tank retting of fibrous straw WVitnesses:

' composed of one fluid ounce per gallon of a M. L. EvJEn,

sulfonated castor oil, one ounce avoirdupois S GEO. STEVENS. 

